Patient's question:
How is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome treated in Traditional Chinese Medicine? Also, can Traditional Chinese Medicine cure it well? What is the best treatment for this disease now?Doctor's answer:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the main causes of infertility. It is a common endocrine disorder in women, with typical clinical manifestations including: oligomenorrhea, infertility, hirsutism, and obesity. The infertility rate is approximately 75%, with primary infertility being more common. The characteristics of this condition include: anovulation, enlarged ovaries with polycystic changes; excessive androgen production by polycystic ovaries or hormonal imbalance; changes in hormone levels are of great significance to the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of the disease.There are three diagnostic criteria for this condition:
1. Changes in menstruation, such as irregularity, varying flow, or absence of periods;
2. Changes in hormone levels, specifically an elevated luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio;
3. Polycystic changes in the ovaries observed under ultrasound monitoring. A diagnosis can be confirmed if at least two of these criteria are met.
From our clinical experience, there are two relatively effective treatment methods for PCOS: medication and surgery. However, neither addresses the root cause of the condition—it only alleviates symptoms. Medications are typically hormone-based, such as Diane-35, estrogen-progestogen combinations, or ovulation-inducing drugs. While medication can be effective, symptoms often recur after discontinuation. For those who do not respond to medication, laparoscopic ovarian drilling is the most effective treatment, with a postoperative pregnancy rate of over 90%.
However, polycystic ovaries often coexist with uterine septum or endometrial polyps. A definitive diagnosis requires digital dynamic hysterosalpingography with iodized oil or hysteroscopy. If these conditions are present, hysteroscopic septoplasty or polypectomy should be performed to prevent habitual abortion. It should be noted that a small number of patients may experience recurrence after surgery. However, this does not mean the surgery was ineffective, as ovulation induction becomes highly effective at this stage, and medication remains effective. Those who do not undergo surgery may not achieve the same results.
Early treatment can achieve a postoperative pregnancy rate of over 90% and gradually restore normal menstruation. Additionally, it can prevent long-term estrogen stimulation of the endometrium, delaying menopause and reducing the risk of endometrial cancer. It can also prevent changes in body shape. Many patients with PCOS experience progressive weight gain regardless of medication, making timely treatment essential.